Interview with Paris Bound! USA Payalympic Swimmer, Taylor Winnett

Special Ed Rising; No Parent Left Behind

In this episode I’ll be speaking with Para-Olympian Swimmer, Taylor Winnett.

Taylor was America’s most decorated athlete at the 2023 Parapan American Games after medaling in 6 individual and 1 relay events in Paralympic Swimming, the Parapan American Games Record Holder in the Women’s S10 100m Butterfly, the American Record holder in the Women’s S10 50m Backstroke, and a National Team Member for U.S. Paralympics Swimming. She began swimming at age 4 and after acquiring a spinal injury and diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome she began paraswimming in 2019 as a S10/SM10/SB9. She is a Paris Paralympian and competes in 100m Butterfly, 100m Backstroke, and 400m Freestyle. She is the middle child with two sisters and wife to Jeric Winnett.

summary

In this conversation, Mark and Taylor discuss various topics related to disability, athleticism, and advocacy. Taylor shares her experiences as a Paralympic swimmer and her journey with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. She talks about the mental game of being an elite athlete and the internal dialogue that drives her. They also discuss accessibility issues and the importance of disability advocacy. Taylor emphasizes the need for more representation and understanding of disabilities in society. The conversation touches on topics such as adoption, travel, and the challenges of living with a disability. Taylor discusses her experience with hiking and the physical challenges she faces due to her disability. She talks about the support system she had after her injury and how her family struggled to understand and cope with her disabilities. Taylor also shares her pain management process and the different methods she has tried. She talks about the classification system in Paralympic swimming and the different disabilities that compete in the same races. Taylor expresses her goals for the upcoming Paralympics and her desire to bring home a medal. She also discusses the team aspect of the competition and the camaraderie among the athletes.

keywords

disability, athleticism, Paralympic sports, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, mental game, accessibility, disability advocacy, representation, adoption, travel, hiking, physical challenges, disability, support system, pain management, classification system, Paralympic swimming, goals, Paralympics, team aspect

takeaways

• Being an elite athlete requires mental strength and discipline.
• Accessibility is still a major issue in many places, and more needs to be done to accommodate people with disabilities.
• Representation and understanding of disabilities in society are crucial for creating a more inclusive and empathetic world.
• Living with a disability comes with unique challenges, but it is possible to find acceptance and lead a fulfilling life.
• Adoption and fostering can be wonderful options for building a family, regardless of disability. Hiking can be physically challenging for individuals with disabilities, but with determination and support, it is possible to overcome obstacles.
• Having a strong support system is crucial for individuals with disabilities to navigate the challenges they face.
• Pain management for individuals with disabilities often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and alternative treatments.
• Paralympic swimming has a classification system that allows individuals with different disabilities to compete in the same races.
• The team aspect of Paralympic competitions provides a sense of camaraderie and support among the athletes.

titles

• Addressing Accessibility Issues
• The Mental Game of an Elite Athlete The Importance of a Strong Support System
• Goals and Expectations for the Paralympics

Sound Bites

• "I think at the level that I'm at with how much I'm training, a lot of it can be like a mental game."
• "I've heard before that disability is the only minority group anyone can become a part of at any time."
• "Growing up, I didn't have many people in my life who were disabled, especially adults."
• "It kind of makes physically harder but like I'm faster so yeah"
• "I want to go back. Not all the way, like maybe a mile or a mile and a half."
• "You'll make it work. You'll find a way."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Appreciation

01:05

Starting the Conversation and Background

02:54

Discovering Triathlon and Dealing with Injuries

04:44

The Mental Game of an Elite Athlete

07:24

Overcoming Challenges and Self-Restraint

11:37

Acceptance and Dealing with Limitations

15:18

Disability Advocacy and Representation

20:48

Addressing Accessibility Issues

23:17

Experiences with Disability in Other Countries

24:50

Navigating Accessibility Challenges

25:28

Preparing for Future Challenges

26:33

Overcoming Physical Challenges in Hiking with a Disability

29:43

The Importance of a Strong Support System

32:38

Managing Pain with a Combination of Methods

49:48

The Classification System in Paralympic Swimming

54:06

The Team Aspect of Paralympic Competitions

Instagram: taylor_winnett